A Military Foundation

From time to time I reflect on my military service and how it shaped my approach to life and contributed to my career success. I enlisted in the Army 50 years ago this year. It was at the height of the Vietnam War and I know that my parents were very concerned. I certainly had a sense of duty that was perhaps born from the service of my father and his two brothers in World War II and the stories I heard of their experiences as I was growing up.

My timing was not the best in another respect. I endured basic training during the summer months in Fort Gordon, GA followed by advanced training as winter set in in Fort Leonard Wood, MO. But certainly, extreme weather is only a minor hardship for those who have served our country throughout history.

I was taught the tools of war spending time on the firing ranges with M-14 and M-16 rifles, M-60 machine guns, as well as grenades, mortars and hand-to-hand combat techniques. I would assess my proficiency as no more than familiar with these weapons, certainly not skilled. I often wonder of my fate should I have needed to put those skills to the test.

But my destiny was different. I attended officer candidate school and graduated high in my class. When my orders came down, I was stationed with the 84th Artillery in Heilbronn, Germany near Stuttgart. We were fighting a different war there, the Cold War. We were a Pershing Missile unit; nuclear armed and mobile. My assignment primarily involved assessment of aerial photographs of Russian mobile missile placements and movements. In addition to my normal duties, I was also responsible for processing soldiers who were receiving dishonorable discharges. Our commanding officer wanted them off the base and out of the country as quickly as possible. The coordination of getting their records, arranging for guards to transport them to Frankfurt Reine Main AFB and properly arranging all the logistics necessary for their return to the U.S. was always an interesting challenge.

I am proud that I served my country, received an honorable discharge and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal.

But my assignment was certainly better than experienced by most soldiers. Due to my rank, my wife was able to join me, and we rented an apartment in a small village of about 400 people. This provided the opportunity to learn life in a different culture firsthand. I was also permitted to own a car and bought a VW Beetle. It was not the fastest car on the Autobahn, but it was dependable. My first son was born at the military hospital in Stuttgart and my mother and grandmother were able to come visit. Traveling was easy, and weekends we often took short trips to France, Switzerland, Belgium or Austria. I still smile when I recall the small caravan of Beetles (red, orange and blue) of we took trips with my fellow service members and their families. Certainly, a very favorable fate during a very difficult time in our history.

I think that my time in the military taught me very valuable lessons that provided a solid basis for my personal development, as well as my career. Without a doubt, it was during those years that I became an adult. The discipline of military life has certainly influenced how I approach life and work, although I seem to have transition from a “command and control” approach to a more participatory approach to decisions, both personal and professional. I learned to take responsibility for my actions. I developed a strong sense of ethics which has served me well throughout my career. I also learned about teamwork and how to work with others. I had superiors who took an interest in me and served as mentors. This translated to my desire to share my knowledge and experiences freely with others and become a mentor.

I have the utmost respect for all who have served our country in the military. My path was certainly easier than most, but I am proud of my service. At our annual Veteran’s Day ceremony I get chills when someone walks up to me and says, “Thanks for you service”.